How satellite technology is to be used to fight loneliness in Yorkshire

A new programme is launched today by the UK Space Agency to both identify vulnerable people and deploy an army of professional volunteers to assist them, including police officers, postal workers and charity workers.

These volunteers will form part of the Care View initiative which will allow them to monitor their local area for signs people may be experiencing social isolation such as curtains always remaining closed or rubbish dumped in their garden.

Leeds City Council is an early adopter of the programme, which is launched on so-called Blue Monday, the day of the year said to be the most depressing when a combination of post-Christmas blues, dark cold nights and the arrival of credit card bills.

The Office for National Statistics estimates two million adults to be classed as suffering from chronic loneliness and, after months of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, experts are worried about rising numbers of people across the UK experiencing loneliness, particularly among young people and older adults.

Care View utilises a new app which allows residents to report signs of neighbours becoming isolated.

Through satellite technology, this will generate a heat spot on a web-based map of the city, pinpointing streets and homes where people might welcome assistance of some kind.

Dr Graham Turnock, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Many of us have learned this year that pandemics can be lonely times, and that we all benefit from some amount of companionship.

“This application channels the power of space to help locate and give a helping hand to people in need of help. It may rely on satellite data, but its real power comes from the altruism of its users.

“Social support is incredibly important in times of stress, and I am delighted that this application we have backed is going to help to lift people out of solitude and isolation.”

The Government-backed app is launched as The Yorkshire Post’s award-winning Loneliness: The Hidden Epidemic campaign prepares to celebrate its seventh anniversary next month.

Research has shown that loneliness can be as damaging for a person’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Amanda Solloway, minister for science, research and innovation, said: “Next month will mark seven years since The Yorkshire Post launched its campaign, Loneliness: The Hidden Epidemic, calling for greater recognition of loneliness and encouraging local people to volunteer for support services.

“Since then, it’s been incredible to see the spirit of the region, and indeed the legacy of the late Jo Cox feed in to the government’s efforts in tackling this issue – from the appointment of our first Minister for Loneliness, Tracey Crouch in 2017, to the extra £7.5 million funding package announced just last month to help tackle loneliness over the winter period.

“The pandemic has been tough on us all. But there is now light at the end of the tunnel, and the roll out of vaccines over the next few months gives us the best chance to ease restrictions and build back better from coronavirus.

“In the meantime, combined with practical solutions like Care View, let’s ensure kindness can keep us connected and empower our communities to reach out to our neighbours.

Jon Hindley, Public Health Localities and Primary Care Team at Leeds City Council, said: “Care View has allowed us a window into the sometimes lonely and isolated world of vulnerable citizens within our poorest neighbourhoods.

“This has been the catalyst to help people we wouldn’t have otherwise known about to reconnect with their communities, improve their health and keep it that way.”